CRKT M21-04 Review

[recondoc1]

I just opened the UPS box about 30 minutes ago. Initial impression is that this is a really well put together package. The folks at CRKT successfully crossbred the M16 with the M18 and the result is nice.
The blade is centered within the handles. With it's heavy duty recurve blade, the flipper/ handguard works perfectly. The first time I opened it, I used moderate pressure on the flipper. The blade deployed smoothly and locked into place with a solid SNICK!
The grind lines are nice and straight with just a slight deviation between sides. The edge isn't quite as sharp as some of the other offerings that I've received from CRKT. It doesn't shave without grabbing some. I especially like the satin finish vs. the older bead blast of the original M16s and 18s.
The only real complaint (although it's not as much a complaint as a personal preference) is that is allows for tip down only carry. I've come to appreciate tip up and especially when it comes to big folders. The carry option with this knife leaves a good inch of the knife sticking up above the top of the pocket. That's not exactly discreet when you are dealing with the sheople of todays "Oh my God that's a huge and vicious looking knife" society.
Overall I'm very pleased with the M21 so far. It is a solidly built, BIG folder that seems to be made for serious work.
I'll post more as I get a chance to do some testing.
Doc out.

 

[powells85]

Congrats and good luck It looks like a real solid knife, keep us posted on its performance over time.

 

[Ferrous Wheel]

I have the M16-14 Ti and noted the same thing with its tip-up only clip. I like to put it in the waistband of me pants, small of the back. A Belt covers the clip mostly, and a shirt covers the rest. untuck the shirt, totally covered.

Keith

 

[bruce]

How's that for coincidence? I just took posession of a CRKT M21-14, the model with serrations. Two observations are that (1), the grind lines are very disproportionate. The bevel on one side is easily three times what it is on the other side. I first took this to be possibly necessary for the grinding of the serrations but now your post indicates it is also found on the non-serrated knives. (2) The pocket clip is "way" tight. Looks like I'm going to have to find a .05" hex head wrench, take the clip off, and bend it in a vise. I can do it but if I don't, I'm hardly able to draw the thing without either wearing out my jeans in a week, or trying to get a thumbnail under the clip to take some tension off -- this won't be quick!

It's a large, beefy knife. I had one of the smaller M16 knives and found it slightly small for my taste -- but this one is massive! With the liner lock "lock" (I think it is called a LAWKS), it seems almost as secure as a fixed blade, but then I would only trust a fixed blade to be completely "fixed". The blade thickness measures between .1360 and .1400, and it ramains almost full thickness to close to the point. They probably started with 5/32 stock and lost a bit due to grinding. It is much thicker than the normal 1/8" of most folders.

I really like the spearpoint blade shape, it's a good general purpose shape. I've owned a tanto shape or two but never saw the advantage. The spearpoint has enough belly to skin with if necessary, but with the point pretty well centered, would make a good thrusting knife.

I'm happy with it, especially for the price. I bought it from "knifesite.com" for $51.20 plus $7 shipping, the cheapest I could find it on the net, and it was only offered full MSRP ($74 plus tax, I think) at our local knife store in the mall. Knifesite only took a week from ordering to "on my doorstep". A good knife from a good place for a good price.

Bruce Woodbury

PS -- I bought this knife only after discovering it was "tip down", my favorite way of carrying and deploying. I feel "tip down" is safer in my pocket and I think the speed of draw for either tip up or tip down is based on practice and technique, not tip orientation.